Audio unit and method for generating a safety critical audio signal

• US 9,641,918 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2012
• Issued: 05/02/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NXP USA, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Original Assignee: NXP USA, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Inventors: Staudenmaier, Michael, Aubineau, Vincent, Bogavac, Davor
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Huyen D
• Application Number:
  US14/423,478
• Publication Number:
  US 20150245116A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,712 Days
• Field of Search: 381 56, 381 58, 381 59, 381 60, 381 82, 381111, 381150, 3403841, 340506, 340507, 340511, 340514, 3405731, 600300, 600301
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/08 using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/126 of annunciator circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/00 Audible signalling systems; Audible personal calling systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/00 Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/41 Detection or adaptation of hearing aid parameters or programs to listening situation, e.g. pub, forest
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 29/001 for loudspeakers H04R29/007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 29/007 for public address systems public address systems per se H04R27/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/04 Circuit arrangements, e.g. for selective connection of amplifier inputs/outputs to loudspeakers, for loudspeaker detection, or for adaptation of settings to personal preferences or hearing impairments combinations of amplifiers H03F3/68; stereophonic systems H04S

Abstract

An audio unit, connected or connectable to a safety-critical apparatus, or integrated or integrable in the apparatus, is proposed. The audio unit may comprise a driver unit, a detection unit, and an alert unit. The driver unit may generate an analog audio signal in response to a request from the apparatus, to drive an acoustic output unit and thereby generate an acoustic signal for a user of the apparatus. The detection unit may detect the audio signal. The alert unit may generate an alert signal in response to the request if the detection unit has not detected the audio signal. It can thus be checked whether the acoustic signal is generated. A method for generating a safety critical acoustic signal is also described.

Claims

1. An audio unit, connected or connectable to a safety-critical apparatus, or integrated or integrable in said safety-critical apparatus, said audio unit comprising:

a driver unit, connected or connectable to an acoustic output unit, and arranged to generate an analog audio signal in response to a request from said apparatus,

drive said acoustic output unit, and

generate an acoustic signal for a user of said apparatus;

a detection unit, wherein said detection unit is arranged to detect said audio signal; and

an alert unit, connected to said detection unit, and arranged to generate an alert signal in response to said request if said detection unit has not detected said audio signal, wherein said audio signal comprises user audio for said user and detection audio for the detection unit;

a first memory unit containing first audio data representing said user audio;

a second memory unit containing second audio data representing said detection audio; and

a mixer unit for blending said user audio with said detection audio in order to generate said audio signal.

2. The audio unit of claim 1, wherein

said audio signal comprises user audio for said user and detection audio for the detection unit, and

said detection unit is arranged to detect said audio signal by detecting said detection audio.

3. The audio unit of claim 2, wherein said detection audio is inaudible for a person who hears normally.

4. The audio unit of claim 2, wherein said detection audio is masked psychoacoustically by said user audio.

5. The audio unit of claim 1, wherein said detection unit comprises:

a sound detector for generating a sound detection signal on the basis of sound; and

an audio analysis unit connected to said sound detector and arranged to detect said audio signal in said sound detection signal.

6. The audio unit of claim 5, wherein said audio analysis unit is arranged to detect detection audio in said sound detection signal.

7. The audio unit of claim 1, wherein said detection unit comprises a filter for transmitting a selected part of said audio signal.

8. The audio unit of claim 1, arranged to increase a volume of said acoustic signal if said detection unit fails to detect said audio signal in response to said request.

9. The audio unit of claim 1, wherein said alert signal is acoustic.

10. The audio unit of claim 1, wherein said alert signal is non-acoustic or comprises a non-acoustic component.

11. The audio unit of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is a motor vehicle, a construction machine, a production machine, a power plant control room, an air-traffic control room, a railway control room, a port control room, a medical therapy apparatus, a medical diagnosis apparatus, or a training apparatus for simulating one or more of these apparatuses.

12. The audio unit of claim 1, wherein said acoustic output unit is integrated in an ear speaker.

13. An audio unit, connected or connectable to a safety-critical apparatus, or integrated or integrable in said safety-critical apparatus, said audio unit comprising:

a driver unit, connected or connectable to an acoustic output unit, and arranged to generate an analog audio signal in response to a request from said apparatus,

drive said acoustic output unit, and

generate an acoustic signal for a user of said apparatus;

a detection unit, wherein said detection unit is arranged to detect said audio signal; and

an alert unit, connected to said detection unit, and arranged to generate an alert signal in response to said request if said detection unit has not detected said audio signal, wherein said audio signal comprises user audio for said user and detection audio for the detection unit, and

wherein said driver unit comprises;

a memory containing audio data representing a blend of said user audio and said detection audio; and

a player unit for generating said audio signal from said audio data without blending said user audio with said detection audio.

14. The audio unit of claim 13, wherein said detection unit comprises:

a sound detector for generating a sound detection signal on the basis of sound; and

an audio analysis unit connected to said sound detector and arranged to detect said audio signal in said sound detection signal.

15. The audio unit of claim 13, wherein said detection unit comprises a filter for transmitting a selected part of said audio signal.

16. The audio unit of claim 13, arranged to increase a volume of said acoustic signal if said detection unit fails to detect said audio signal in response to said request.

17. The audio unit of claim 13, wherein said alert signal is acoustic.

18. The audio unit of claim 13, wherein said alert signal is non-acoustic or comprises a non-acoustic component.

19. The audio unit of claim 13, wherein said apparatus is a motor vehicle, a construction machine, a production machine, a power plant control room, an air-traffic control room, a railway control room, a port control room, a medical therapy apparatus, a medical diagnosis apparatus, or a training apparatus for simulating one or more of these apparatuses.

20. A method for generating a safety-critical acoustic signal for a user of an apparatus, comprising:

receiving an audio request from said apparatus;

generating an analog audio signal in response to said audio request, thereby driving an acoustic output unit to generate said acoustic signal, wherein said audio signal comprises user audio for said user and detection audio for the detection unit;

detecting said audio signal;

generating an alert signal in response to said audio request if said audio signal is not detected,

storing first audio data representing said user audio;

storing second audio data representing said detection audio; and

blending said user audio with said detection audio in order to generate said audio signal.